Anne Sylvestre

The recorded working language is French. The field of work recorded is music composing. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are chanson. Distinctions recorded are Officer of the Legion of Honour, honorary doctorate of Concordia University and Officer of the National Order of Merit.

• Name — Anne Sylvestre • Birth Name — Anne-Marie Beugras • Born — 20 June 1934 • Birthplace — Lyon, France • Died — 30 November 2020 • Place of death — Neuilly-sur-Seine, France • Genre — Chanson • Occupation — Singer, songwriter • Instrument — Vocals • Years Active — 1957–2020 • Label — * Philips • Anne Sylvestre • EPM Musique • Universal • Website — annesylvestre.com

Anne Sylvestre was born in Lyon on 20 June 1934. She was the daughter of Albert Beugras and the sister of writer Marie Chaix. Her father was a politician turned collaborationist during the Occupation of France. Marie Chaix wrote a book about their father's role during the Occupation, Les Lauriers du lac de Constance (1974). While studying literature at the Sorbonne in the fifties, Sylvestre started singing in cabarets and was discovered by Michel Valette. Jean-Claude Pascal recorded her song "Porteuse d'eau" (Waterbearer) under the title "La terre" (The Dirt, 1958). She started recording in 1959, and Georges Brassens wrote a preface for her second album (1962). Since 1962, she also wrote and sang for children (Fabulettes). She wrote a song for Serge Reggiani, "La Maumariée" (The Wrongly-Wed Bride, 1968). She recorded a comical duet with Boby Lapointe, "Depuis l'temps que j'l'attends mon prince charmant" (I've been waiting for my prince charming for ages, 1969). In 1973, she created her own recording company to release her albums. In 1976, along with Isabelle Aubret, she recorded the album Fabulettes et Chansons d'Anne Sylvestre. In 1987, she put on a show with Quebec singer Pauline Julien (Gémeaux croisées, Crossed Gemini, 1987–1988). With fellow singer Michèle Bernard, she put on a show aimed at children, Lala et le Cirque du vent (Lala and the Wind's Circus, 1992–1996). She also sang on scene with Agnès Bihl in the show Carré de Dames (Four of Queens, 2012). Her songs encompass a large range of subjects. Her love songs are often in a nostalgic mode ("Le Pêcheur de perles", The Pearl Fisher, 1967; "La Chambre d'or", Golden Room, 1969). Some of her songs could not be broadcast because of their strong engagement, and others contain profanity, for instance "Les Gens qui doutent" (Doubting People, 1977). Some songs deal with difficult subjects such as poverty ("Porteuse d'eau", Waterbearer, 1961), homelessness ("Pas difficile", Not difficult, 1986), education in a consumer society ("Abel Caïn, mon fils", Abel Cain, my son, 1971), war ("Berceuse de Bagdad", Lullaby from Baghdad, 2003). Numerous songs give a feminist take on women's life: "Non, tu n'as pas de nom" (You have no name, 1973) about abortion, "La Vache engagée" (Engaged Cow, 1975), "Une sorcière comme les autres" (A Witch like any other one, 1975) about maternity, "La Faute à Ève" (Eve's Fault, 1978) about women's rights, "Rose" (1981) about teen pregnancy, or "Juste une femme" (Only a woman, 2013) about sexism. She also supported same-sex marriage ("Gay marions-nous", 2007). Anne Sylvestre died on November 30, 2020 in Neuilly-sur-Seine after having a stroke. She was about to go on tour at that time. She was interred in the family vault in Saint-Eusèbe, Saône-et-Loire.

Anne Sylvestre was recorded at birth as Anne-Marie Thérèse Beugras. She also worked under the name Anne Sylvestre. The authorities additionally record the heading Anne-Marie Beugras. Her recorded language was French. She was the child of Albert Beugras and Alice Litolff. One child is recorded: Alice Yonnet-Droux.

Anne Sylvestre is recorded as having received Officer of the Legion of Honour, honorary doctorate of Concordia University and Officer of the National Order of Merit.